In a year that’s seen those beloved school musicals called off, school balls cancelled and school band practices moved to home garages, Auckland Council’s secondary school music showcase, Stand Up Stand Out (SUSO), is going ahead in a re-shaped, re-energised form.

Responding both to Covid-19 and new council budget constraints, SUSO will not be a competition in 2020 ,but a celebration aimed at bringing together young music talent from across Tāmaki Makaurau. Musicians and vocalists from the region’s secondary schools have the opportunity to audition in a supportive environment at one of five SUSO performance hubs across the city in front of a selector from the music industry.

Performers from each hub will then be selected to represent their region at the SUSO 2020 Showcase at Māngere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku. Hub performances kick off on 12 August, with the showcase taking place on 26 September. Friends and families will be able to see the performances via a livestream event which will be shared across the SUSO Facebook page.

In recent years participation in SUSO has grown to more than 1300 students, featuring over 50 schools from Kaipara College in the north to Waiuku College in the south. SUSO is a feeder to Auckland Council events and festivals and a pathway to industry careers. In recent years students have performed at Christmas in the Park, Waitangi Day celebrations, Music in Parks, Matariki Festival and other summer festivals.

Schools are invited to register individuals and groups via an online application form here.

Applications are open and will be accepted until 31 July 2020.